Flushing device.



No. 668,990. Patented Feb. 26', I90. 6. M. JENKINS.

FLUSHING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 7, 1900.)

(No Model.

WITNESSES:

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ATTORNFYS:

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,990, dated February 26, 1901.

Application filed June '7, 1900. Serial No. 19,433. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GERTRUDE MOORE J EN- KINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manhattan borough, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flushing Devices, of which the following'isaspecification.

This invention relates to a flushing device by which a water-closet, waste-pipe, or the like can be automatically flushed or disinfected and at the same time excessive flow or waste of the fluid avoided, as set forth in the following specification and claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of parts of Fig. 1.

The tank a has an outlet or flushing pipe I), which can lead to any suitable point of use, as a bowl or the like. The valve 0 is opened by a lever (Z, which can be pulled or actuated by hand or hand-chain, if seen fit, and also automatically, as presently explained. The lever 61 is connected to or actuated by an armature attracted by electromagnet f when the latter is vitalized. The armature e is shown pivoted at g to a post h, whose foot 1 is supported on a suitable shelf or carrier is. The magnet or coilsf have the Wires Z and 'm, and when a suitable closer or contact mechanism establishes the circuit through these conductors Z 171 the magnet is vitalized. One of the conductors Z connects with one of a pair of spring-contacts n, the other contact connecting with conductor 0, running to battery 19. These contacts press against disk 7', of insulating material, and rotated by suit able meansas, for example, a clock mechanism. A smaller disk 3, of conducting material, is secured to the insulating-disk r, and conducting-plugs t are inserted into the insulating-disk or extend from the conductingdisk to the surface or periphery of the insulating-disk. /Vhen the contacts 02 rest against the insulator r, the circuit is broken; but when the plugs 25 have been rotated or brought to touch with contacts at the circuit is closed. The current now flows from battery p through conductor 0 and from one contact 00, to the other through the conductors or plugs t and disk 3 and along conductor Z to vitalize magnetf, thence returning along conductor m to the battery. The armature e is thus attracted to move lever cl and open valve 0, allow ing a flow or fiush through pipe 1).

The plugs 15 should be of such size or width as to assure proper flow or closure of the cir cuit when in contact with springs n. When driven by a clock, the plugs '6 may be so long in passing the contacts and breaking the circuit that the armature eis held to keep valve 0 open too long. As excessive flow or waste of water or contents of tank ais to be avoided, means are provided for accelerating the rotation of the plugs t or breaking the circuit when closed as soon as the flushing or required discharge of the tank a has been accomplished.

Secured or connected to disks 1' s is a gearwheel or ratchet u, engaged by a pawl 1, connected to armature 2, the electromagnet 3 of which has conductors 4 and 5. Conductor 4 branches from conductor 0, and conductor 5 connects to armaturee or to the foot or a part of this armature. WVhen armature e is away from magnet f, the circuit4 and 5 is broken; but on the closing of circuit l 0 or when this armature e is attracted a current can flow or branch from battery'p along conductors #land 5, including magnet 3, thence to armature e and magnetfalong wire m to the battery 19. The armature 2 is thus attracted and by its connection or pawl 1 moves gear-wheel u to carry plugs 25 past or out of contact with the spring-blades n. The circuit Z 0 or its closer at t is thus opened or the duration of closure shortened, so that the armature e is released and valve 0 can close before the tank a has discharged an excessive amount. In other words, waste of water is avoided, but sufficient discharge for effective flushing is allowed.

As shown, the second magnet 8is vitalized by or included in the current of the magnet f. The second magnet could have its own battery; but the construction shown is simple. The second or branch circuit 4 5 is closed and opened by armature e, which actuates valve 0, and said armature 6 when moving to open the valve also closes the second circuit to vitalize magnet 3 for promptly opening the circuit Z 0.

A conductor 6, connecting the core of mag netfwith conductor m, it has been found allows the circuit or current from conductor 5 to the armature e, contacting with said core, to close or flow through said core and conductor 6 to wire m and battery 19.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A flushing-tank having an outlet-valve, auactuating-lever forthe valve, an armature and electromagnet for the lever, a circuitcloser, and a second electromagnet for opening the closer, said second magnet being vitalized by or included in the current of the first magnet substantially as described.

2. The combination with a flushing-tank provided with an outlet-valve, of an operating means for said valve comprising a circuit-closer, age-ar-wheel connected to or made to actuate the closer, electromagnets vitalized by said closer, one of the magnets having a pawl or connection for engaging the gear-wheel to open the closer, an actuatinglever connected to said valve, and a suitable connection between said lever and one of said magnets substantially as described.

3. The combination with a flushing-tank provided with an outlet-valve, of an operating means for said valve com prising a circuitcloser comprising an insulating and conducting disk, a gear-Wheel or actuator for rotating the disks, plugs inserted into the disks, spring-contacts for the plugs, electromagnets in the circuit of the contacts, a pawl for the gear-wheel actuated by one of the magnets to move the plugs away from the contacts on the closing of the circuit, and an actuatinglever connected to said valve and to one of said magnets substantially as described.

4. The combination with a flushing-tank provided with an outletvalve having an actuatinglever therefor, of an operating means for said lever and valve comprising a circuit-closer comprising an insulating and conducting disk, an actuator for the disks, plugs in the disks, contacts for the plugs, electrornagnets vitalized by the contacts and one of which is suitably connected to said actuating-lever, and a connection or pawl actuated by one of the magnets to move the plugs away from the contacts on the closing of the circuit, said closer having the conducting-disk smaller than the insulating-disk so that the current or circuit is broken when the plugs are clear of the contacts substantially as described.

5. A circuit or battery wires, a closer, an electromagnet and armature connected to and actuated by the circuit, a tank having a valve actuated by the armature, a second or branch circuit closed and opened by said armature, a second electromagnet, and an armature actuated by said second magnet and made to open the circuit-closer for closing said valve substantially as described.

6. A flushing-tank having an outlet-valve, an actuating-lever for the valve, an armature and electromagnet for the lever, a circuit-closer, and a second electromagnet for opening the closer, the circuit of the second. magnet being closed through the armature and core of the first magnet substantially as described.

7. The combination with a flushing-tank provided with an outlet-valve,of an operating means for said valve comprising a magnet and armature in mechanical connection with the valve, a circuit-closer, an actuator for the eloserto cause the latter to close the circuit and energize the magnet at suitable intervals to open the valve, an electromagnet, and means connected thereto and to said actuator, operated by said last-named magnet for breaking the circuit.

8. The combination with a pipe provided with a valve, of an operating means for said valve, comprising a magnet and armature in mechanical connection with the valve, a circuit-closer, an actuator for the closer to cause the latter to close the circuit and energize the magnet at suitable intervals to open the valve an electromagnet, and means connected thereto and to said actuator, operated by said last-named magnet for breaking the circuit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GERTRUDE MOORE JENKINS.

Witnesses:

W. O. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

